Suspended IAS officer Pardeep Kumar, a key accused in the Rs 657 crore bank scam, is now "on the run" with his phone switched off, according to sources. The 2011-batch officer is facing arrest as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) intensifies its probe into the massive fraud involving Haryana government officials and private banks.
What is the Rs 657 crore bank scam?
The scam involves the alleged collusion between officials of IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank with Haryana government officers, including IAS officers. According to the CBI, funds worth Rs 657 crore were siphoned off from the accounts of eight Haryana departments and two Chandigarh Administration departments. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is also investigating the case, has estimated the scam at Rs 645 crore.
According to ThePrint, Kumar has been "missing" from his residence and his phone has been switched off as the CBI closes in on him.
Who has been arrested so far?
The CBI has already arrested two other IAS officers in connection with the scam. Ram Kumar Singh, a 2012-batch IAS officer, and Pankaj Agarwal, a 2000-batch IAS officer, are currently in judicial custody. Both were arrested earlier as part of the ongoing investigation.
Sources in the CBI informed that Kumar had been "missing" from his usual whereabouts, and investigators have been unable to contact him. His phone being switched off has raised concerns that he may be trying to evade arrest.
How the scam worked
Investigators allege that bank officials and government officers worked together to illegally transfer funds from government accounts. The money was allegedly diverted through a network of fake accounts and shell companies. The scam came to light after discrepancies were noticed in the accounts of multiple Haryana government departments.
"The CBI is currently investigating a massive fraud involving IAS officers and bank officials." — Instagram post
Our Take: This is a serious breach of public trust
To put it plainly, this is not just a financial crime — it is a breach of public trust. IAS officers are supposed to be the backbone of the administrative system. When senior officers are accused of siphoning off public funds, it shakes the very foundation of governance.
In our view, the fact that Pardeep Kumar is on the run suggests he knows the gravity of the charges against him. The CBI must act swiftly to apprehend him and ensure that all those involved in this scam face the full force of the law. The public deserves to know exactly how this money was stolen and who else was involved.
The case also raises serious questions about oversight in government banking operations. If such a large amount can be siphoned off without immediate detection, it points to systemic failures that need urgent fixing.
